TTCB hails Ramdin appointment

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has welcomed the decision of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to appoint De­nesh Ram­din as the new captain of the regional Test team.

Ramdin, 29, a right-handed wicket-keeper/batsman replaces all-roun­der Darren Sammy, who the WICB selectors have retained as the West Indies T20 team captain. Sammy on Friday also announced his retirement from Test cricket and wished Ramdin all success in his new role.

Yesterday, president of the TTCB Azim Bassa­rath said Ramdin’s appointment is justified as he has showed over the years that he possessed leadership skills.

“There can be no greater reward for a dedi­cated and passionate cric­keter like Denesh Ramdin who, from very early in his developing career, was picked to become a Test team captain. His

time could not have come

any sooner and we are backing him to lead a revi­val of the regional team’s fortunes,” said Bas­sarath.

Ramdin, from the com­-

munity of Preysal in cen­tral Trinidad, will get his first assignment at the helm when West Indies take on New Zealand in a three-Test home series next month.

Yesterday, Bassarath said the T&TCB was very appreciative of the contribution made by Sammy to the game and noted his leadership of the regional team when they won the ICC World T20 Championships in Sri Lanka in 2012.

“We believe that Ram­din has been knocking on the door for some time and now gets his chance to lead the Test into a promising future. We are pleased to have had a front-row seat in his development from school cricketer to national, re­gion­al and international star.

Bassarath said the elevation of Ramdin was another clear vindication of the programmes insti­tuted by the T&TCB.

“Cricket continues to offer hope and a secured future for our talented play­ers. The T&T Cricket Board will continue to chart the course of the national game in a holistic manner to help each and every cricketer a chance to develop their full poten­tial,” said Bassarath.